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Mini-Gourmand
Classic Week Gourmand
For Wine Lovers
Hiking and Feasting Week
Personalized Provence
Private Chocolate Classes
French & Cooking Program
A Week's Yoga Retreat
Sheperdess in the field with one of her goats.
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Our Hiking and Feasting Schedule:
The evening of your arrival we welcome you to a dinner at 8 pm in our home.
First day:
We'll leave at 9 for a visually spectacular but physically not too difficult hike from the heights
of Les Baux down to the lovely village of St. Remy
Lunch at the Taberna Romana where you will sample Roman delicacies on a bed of fresh greens
Back to Arles to wash and rest before our first cooking class followed by dinner.
Second day:
We'll leave a bit earlier to go further for a hike along the cliffs of the Mediterranean where
we can look down into the Sea and off in the distance to the city of Marseille. This hike is relatively
strenuous and has parts in full sun shine, so we'll be sure to cover our skin with cream and wear hats!
Lunch will be at a local favorite for fresh grilled fish and a bit of local white wine from Cassis.
Back to Arles for a rest and to wash up. This evening's cooking class will feature a quick and light
menu.
Third day:
Just in case there are a few sore muscles, this day's hike is relatively flat and easy. We'll go visit a local olive oil mill from which we'll walk across the valley to the goat cheese-lady where
we'll pick up some fresh cheeses for our picnic amidst the olive groves. For those who like to scale some heights,
there are a few outcroppings that can be climbed to gain a lovely view of the valley.
We'll get back to Arles earlier today and there will be at least 3 hours of free time to rest, wash,
do laundry, shop or sight see before our evening class followed by dinner
Fourth day:
Today we'll go to the Dentelles de Montmirail where we will hike amidst the vineyards of the Cote du Rhone
Village wines of Seguret and look out over Rasteau, Vacqueyras and more. There is a bit of scrambling, but with
very easy handholds. Some of this hike is in the woods where we might spot some wild asparagus. A panoramic camera
would catch some glorious views from the top of the hill, so bring it along!
Lunch : a picnic down on the Place des Platanes in the hill-side village of Seguret. Time to visit
the potter and santon-maker of Seguret before we drive home to rest.
Break in the afternoon
This evening we will decide together whether to sample the cuisine of a wonderful restaurant in Les Baux,
or to have a cooking class.
Fifth day:
Today is our last hike -- shall we take it easy and visit the Camargue? or shall we push for the heights of
the iconic mountain of Provence, the Ste. Victoire painted from every angle by Cezanne. Should we decide
on the latter, it is a hike of 2 1/2-3 1/2 hours depending on our speed. I'll accompany you while Erick
prepares a well-earned feast for us when we come back down.
After a leisurely return to Arles, a bit of a rest and perhaps a hot bath, we'll come together to
cook up a feast Cezanne might have painted.
Sixth day:
Today we walk only to our nearby market. All week we've kept your shopping time minimal, but today
you can purchase all those presents you must bring home for friends and family. Perhaps an olive wood
salad bowl, or a clay tian, or even a bit of pottery. Lovely lavender soaps, honey from the bee-keeper...
Meantime Erick will head to the fish stalls and all who choose to accompany him will get a lesson in choosing
fish, and in the varieties of fish that we enjoy here in the Mediterranean.
Lunch free
Time for you to roam the city of Arles, explore its world-famous monuments and museums
Our last class: a celebration of the week's accomplishments and a toast to your time in Provence.
Seventh day:
Many of you will be on your way this morning, but some of you may stay and rent a car from one of the
many agents locally to explore more of Provence, taste more of its wines, investigate the Roman ruins...
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Cuisine et Tradition School of Provencale Cuisine
Erick & Madeleine Vedel
Arles, France
33 (0) 4 90 49 69 20
actvedel@wanadoo.fr
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